The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cares deeply for every Veteran
we are privileged to serve, and we are committed to delivering the
highest quality care. We take any allegations about patient care or
employee misconduct very seriously, which is why the Department invited
the independent VA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to complete a
comprehensive review at the Phoenix VA Health Care System as quickly as
possible. VA also sent a team of clinical experts to Phoenix to review
appointment scheduling procedures at that facility and the existence of
any delays in care.

VA believes it is important to allow the Inspector General’s
independent, objective review to proceed. We trust that the Inspector
General will complete that comprehensive review as quickly as possible.
These allegations, if true, are absolutely unacceptable and if the
Inspector General’s investigation substantiates these claims, VA will
take swift and appropriate action.

Veterans deserve to have full faith in their VA health care. VA
facilities are committed to transparency and undergo multiple external,
independent reviews every year to ensure its safety and quality. We
appreciate the continued hard work and dedication of our employees and
of the community stakeholders we work with every day in our service to
Veterans.